Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Reflecting on the Apparent Life of Tiger Woods

I have had a variety of "talks" with my oldest son about sex (albeit, through the consideration of whitetail deer breeding practices as part of hunting strategy) this past 6 months. My hunting escapades caused him to ask some questions thus allowing him to put two and two together. In the summer months I took him with me to prepare some tree stands on one of the properties I hunt. While we were working he asked me some questions about whitetail hunting strategy. I explained the difference between placing a stand you plan to hunt in the early season when the bucks are in bachelor groups and during "the rut" (whitetail mating season) when they are out on their own aggressively cruising for receptive does. To make a long, uncomfortable story short, he has figured out that whitetail bucks don't chase does just because they want to wrestle or play. I have a book on whitetail biology he has paged through, he basically understands the mating/birthing process of whitetail deer. I know the clock is ticking for him to ask me more pointed questions about human sexuality, so I am praying that Jesus comes back first.

Anyways, recently when we were hunting together he asked me why deer don't stay in family groups. He can see that bucks chase and breed as many different does as they can for what amounts to a 6-week period every Fall. Otherwise the bucks pay no attention to does. Furthermore, bucks could care less about fawns. They have nothing to do with guarding or nurturing does or fawns. Bucks and does essentially live apart except for the 6-week mating season when a whitetail buck almost kills himself trying to breed every receptive doe he can find. This is how God wired deer to survive. They are animals. That's what they do. There is no restraint, just unbridled testosterone that is willing to die to mate.

Basically, this is how Tiger Woods seems to be acting. Obviously I don't know if he has actually had affairs with the eleven women currently being linked to him, but quite frankly, if even half that number is true, it's staggering. In the realm of sexuality, Tiger has been acting like an animal and it's saddening and disappointing to learn.

Now, before I come off as better than Tiger, let me be clear- by all indications (and I don't just mean his behavior) Tiger is not a Christian. Human sexuality is a total broken mess apart from the redemption that only God can give through Christ. Even after a person trusts Christ and is made a new creation, he or she will battle with the brokenness of their sexuality at some level and in some way. Sexual brokenness is worse for some, but every person is messed up sexually, such is a burdensome vestige of the Fall. The truth is, I don't know what I would do if I had the looks, power, money, and connections that Tiger has. I might well do the very same thing he has done, I am making NO statement of judgment in this post except to say that Tiger has been acting like an animal...and so could all of us apart from the redeeming and sustaining grace of God through Christ.

When I see a case like Tiger Woods I am at first disgusted, then sad for his wife, children, mother, etc. Then I get upset at the example he is for millions of people, no matter how much the pundits want to tell us "he is not a role model". Then, upon further reflection I am set back by how weak we are. How weak I am. I just know it is only the grace of God that keeps me from all manner of habitual, addictive, life-destroying sins. I battle gluttony. I battle lust. I battle anger. If I struggle like I do, how does a person void of the Holy Spirit live? Frankly, Tiger didn't battle, he is doing what comes sinfully natural- he is following his fleshly passions. Honestly, the fall of Tiger Woods (and he is falling, make no mistake) is a tragic thing to watch because he represents, at some level, the potential all of us sinners have.

What's the answer? How should we react to the Tiger Woods fall? As Christians, the answer is once again the same- the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same gospel- the payment for my sins by Jesus on the Cross and the giving of His righteousness to me so I can be an adopted son and new creation-is what has restored a level of control and perspective over my sinful (animal-like) passions. I don't begrudge Tiger Woods or think of him as somehow lesser than me. He just hasn't been freed from the slavery to his fleshly lusts. Even this side of redemption I struggle with fleshly lust, don't we all? For the person without the Holy Spirit though, eventually the seeds of the flesh sown will reap an awful, corrupt, and rotten fruit.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

I make no promise that I would not do what Tiger Woods has apparently done or something worse. I am so very grateful to God for the gospel's transforming power in my life, but I'm not kidding myself about the powerful pull of sin either. The same gospel of grace that has brought me new life also works to preserve and guard me from sin's slavish strangle hold. I always need this grace, every minute. It is in such grace that I stand. But make no mistake, it is by grace that I do not fall, not by anything I have done or am doing.

My prayer is for Tiger Woods to come to Christ before His sinful passions destroy him completely and eternally.

7 comments:

Malcolm
said...

Your prayer and mine are identical for Tiger. The strange thing about this is that I feel personally let down by him. As you know I am/was an enormous fan of Tiger. My diatribe on him to others was that he had it all. He has the physical skills for sure, but the point I always made was the had the greatest concentration and mental skills ever...better than Jack Nicklaus. I felt his mental discipline was his edge. For this reason he was a shoe-in, I felt, to break all the records.

From a Christian perspective,no one could have written anything better that you have to describe the whole situation. Boy, the finger pointing is easy when we see another man fall.

I pray that he will come to the Lord and will be able to ask his forgiveness. With his world wide acclaim and adoration Tiger could do wonderful things and lead many to Christ.

pariveniNo doubt by His grace and with must forethought and prayer, you have rendered your fleshly judgmental condemning thoughts inoperable. You spoke truth in love and haven taken these thought captive, obedient unto Him, the Lord used your grace-filled words without a hint of legalistic “speck-hunting and log-looking.” Thanks for helping us all reflect on our own sinful, depraved nature. Like millions, I pray for his salvation, restoration on his marriage and protection for his family.

That was an excellent article you wrote on human sexuality. I think it would be fair to say that most men grapple with lust. Thankfully it is the mercy and grace of our Lord that makes the difference. Oh how we need the precious blood of Jesus Christ!

Our culture reeks of sex and all of its perverted manifestations. How easy it is to just peek at pornography but then remember that Christ said just our though processes condemned us of adultery and sexual immorality.

Anyone that is godless thinks that they can find happiness on their own terms. Whether it be power, assets, sex, drugs, or just being their own god. But it CAN NOT happen because true happiness is found in worship. We are here for a purpose and with a plan. It would contradict Truth for people to find happiness in anything else.

Sin seems so right. It is easily rationalize away. One better hope that he or she feels guilt because it is the Holy Spirit working on your conscience. Sin is sweet and sickening. Seemingly euphoric but ultimately so debasing and empty.

Remember men (and women) that David was" the apple of God's eye" and yet when he sinned with Bathsheba he committed a multitude of other sins. Yet he did not let sin drive him away from God instead he fell on his knees and repented (of course there are always consequences and in this case his infant child died.) God forgave him and to those who struggle with lust issues He forgives us so much more than we deserve.

I suggest that one read Psalms 51 for returning to a right relationship with Christ. Also pray, run away from, have another christian for accountability, and just stay away from what could lead you to succumb. God bless...

Don Vito Corleone

Lloyd and Harry

My favorite quote from Reepicheep

Taken from 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' concerning whether or not the ship should return home or press forward into the unknown -

"Aren't you going to say anything, Reep?" whispered Lucy.

"No. Why should your Majesty expect it?" answered Reepicheep in a voice that most people heard.

"My own plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan's country, or shot over the edge of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise and Peepiceek will be head of the talking mice in Narnia."

Why "Reepicheep"?

Reepicheep is descended from a group of mice who gnawed through the ropes that bound Aslan to the Stone Table after the White Witch had killed him; as a result of their service, they became talking mice. In Prince Caspian, Reepicheep is the leader of the twelve mice who help to fight against Caspian's Uncle Miraz in the Second Battle of Beruna at Aslan's How. He and his followers run through the battle and plunge their rapiers into an unsuspecting enemy's foot, causing him to fall, after which he is quickly dispatched. Reepicheep did not view his life as his own. He was fiercely loyal to Caspian, but ultimately to Aslan, the King of Kings. This attitude of loyalty must be my attitude toward the Church, and ultimately, the King and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Reepicheep is one of my favorite characters in all of literature because of his loyalty to the King. Despite his lack of size, ability, and power, he zealously guards the honor of the King. He sees his honor as being united to the King. He sees his life only in relationship to the King. Reepicheep was dead to himself and alive to the King and service to him.
I want to serve King Jesus with the loyalty of Reepicheep.